Liverpool v Shrewsbury: FA Cup live matchday blog

A youthful Liverpool side booked a place in the FA Cup fifth round after beating Shrewsbury Town 1-0 in an Anfield replay. An own-goal by Ro-Shaun Williams settled the contest on an entertaining night on Merseyside.

Neil Critchley's verdict

Neil Critchley offered his thoughts on Liverpool's 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town as he addressed the media in his post-match press conference at Anfield.

In it, the manager revealed details of his conversations with Jürgen Klopp and also how James Milner had lent his support to the young Reds, both in the build-up and on the night.

Critchley also discussed why the performance and result is something all those connected with the club's Academy can take pride in.

“I think it was a night that we’ll remember for a long time, especially the debutants. I thought the whole team dug in and we kept on going until the final whistle.

“I thought the crowd were excellent, they were there from the first whistle to the final whistle.

“It was a special night for the whole team. I’ve known some of the lads out there since I was about seven years old so you go through all the stages and to play a first-team game at Anfield with the crowd, and to get through to the next round, is just a special night for a lot of us.”

Caoimhin Kelleher could make his fourth first-team appearance this evening – and the goalkeeper speaks about the prospect in tonight's matchday programme.

"It's incredible to play for the first team and it's what I dreamed of when I came over – going through the Academy and up to the first team. It's what you're working towards the whole time," he says.

"I've been progressing every season, which is what I want to do, so I just need to keep going forward now. Every experience has been good, especially when you get to play in big stadiums. It gives you a taste for it. So to get these opportunities has been a dream come true.

"I've been made up with the chances I've had this season and hopefully long may it continue."

If scores are level after 90 minutes, extra-time will be played and then potentially a penalty shootout. Teams are permitted to use one additional substitute in extra-time.

Pre-match

Larouci fitness update

Liverpool will make a check on the fitness of Yasser Larouci in order to determine if he'll be fit to feature tonight.

The French left-back sustained an injury while representing the Reds' U23s last week.

“Yasser obviously came off last week. We have today’s training session and tomorrow, so we’ll have a meeting before training today to find out the latest with Yasser," Critchley told journalists on Monday. "That was unfortunate.

“Hopefully he makes it. If he doesn’t, that’ll provide opportunity for one or two others – we’re quite well blessed in that area this season. Other than Yasser, that’s it.”

Critchley also reported he had no other fitness concerns ahead of the clash.

Pre-match

Chelsea await

A reminder that the winner of tonight's match will travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the fifth round of the competition.

If you’re at #Anfield for the game against @shrewsweb tonight, please don’t forget your Foodbank donations.… https://t.co/f2zKIeY7GQ

Tonight's clash represents another opportunity for Hoever and his young teammates to make memories to last a lifetime.

It's a fixture in a competition that has a special place in the Dutch defender's heart, having made his senior debut in last season's tie at Wolverhampton Wanderers aged just 16 years and 354 days.

He has racked up two more first-team outings since then, and sat down with us to preview the Shrewsbury encounter.

“Everyone is really excited about it,” the 18-year-old told Liverpoolfc.com. “That we can play at home at Anfield with all the crowd and the fans. That we can show what we can do as a team, do the club proud and win the game.

“We just need to focus on our game and play the best game we can play.

“Shrewsbury gave everything the whole game [in the first meeting] and still believed when they were 2-0 down. That’s good for us to know.

“It’s just a great opportunity for us to play at Anfield. Everyone in the squad wants to win the game. We just need to focus and work hard and then we’ll do our best and hope it’s enough to win the game.”

Relive the highlights from the 2-2 draw at New Meadow last month in the video below...

Pre-match

Tickets sold out

Tickets are sold out for tonight's game and supporters not in possession of a ticket are urged not to travel to Anfield.

Season ticket holders are reminded that if you have purchased a different seat to the one used for Premier League home games, your season ticket card will be activated for access into the stadium and you will not be issued with a barcoded paper ticket. Click here for a full list of FAQs.

Enrolled into the Auto Cup Scheme?

Important information

Before travelling to the game, supporters enrolled into the Auto Cup Scheme are strongly advised to check that they have a seat processed for this match. You can do this by logging into My Account and selecting the ‘Check Your Purchase History’ option.

Pre-match

Did you know?

Liverpool have already used 40 players this season – a new club record (one more than 2015-16).

Pre-match

Press conference

Critchley took questions from journalists at Melwood yesterday to preview the cup tie. You can watch what he had to say in the video below...